How Should the Brakes Feel?

R

Rangi246

New Member
Hi everyone

I'm a new P6 V8 owner and I've been having a few issues with the brakes. When I got the car the pedal had a lot of travel so after a bit of trial and error, I found the servo needed attention. It ended up getting re-sleeved and rebuilt which has greatly improved the car's braking but I still feel the pedal is travelling a bit too much, especially when compared to our newer cars (VW Polo and BMW 330ci) and despite several bleeds.

Our mechanic who did the WOF (UK MOT) on it also mentioned that it seemed to have very hard pads on the front. Is this likely to make much of a difference to the braking of the car? I've looked at the pads and can't tell what make they are, they do have the wires on them and fit correctly so i'm guessing they're a P6 V8 type of some sort.

As I've never driven a P6 V8 with "normal" functioning brakes i'm wondering what they should actually feel like when in perfect working order? Any recommendations on pads - I was thinking of trying some TRW ones.

Thanks
Mark
 
Hi Mark,

From my experience, the Rover's brake pedal feel heavy when compared to modern cars. I wouldn't say that the travel was more, not from where I am sitting, rather it is less I would say.

Depending on how well the booster was rebuilt, the brakes can be either very responsive or quite wooden. I have experienced both, and the difference is very noticable.

Hard compound pads translate into increased effort in terms of the force you will be required to place upon the pedal, so it is my understanding.

Ron
 
There is slightly more rake pedal travel, but not a whole lot. I don't find it noticeably heavier than my VW.

In terms of feel, they are much more "linear" than modern cars, none of the "on-off" feel. Perhaps the lack of ABS?
 
Mine feel progressive compared to the MGF which has an on-off feel. Also there is definitely more pedal travel, and that's a world away from the prius which has 2 braking modes, electric braking when you feather the pedal and full braking which is very sharp when you put your foot to the floor.
 
How's your handbrake? Does it lock in a few clicks, or you have to have the lever point to the sky to hold the car? If it's the later then the rear brakes are not adjusted correctly, and this is a reason for longer pedal travel.
 
The handbrake holds the car well in about 3 clicks so I would say its okay.

Good to hear i'm not going mad and the brakes are in reasonable condition then. As for the hard pads on the front, I would like to replace them with a softer type to decrease the pedal effort required, I can hear the pads engaging (just) when I depress the pedal but at the moment it does take a good stab for the car to pull up.

What type of pads are you running on your cars? (we've got standard discs). I've seen various types out there; EBC Blackstuff and Greenstuff, Mintex, Ferodo and TRW to name a few. Is there a general consensus as to what NOT to buy?

Mark
 
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